GS

Gotipua Dance

GS I Art and Culture Origins and Historical Background Gotipua originated in Odisha during the 16th century, under the reign of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev. The term ‘Gotipua’ is derived from the Oriya language, where ‘Goti’ means single and ‘Pua’ means boy. This dance form developed as a male …

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Hampi’s Heritage and Contemporary Challenges

GS I-History About Hampi Located in Karnataka’s Bellary District, Hampi lies along the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of South India’s most prominent Hindu empires, thriving between the 14th and 16th centuries. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in …

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Araku Valley Coffee

GS III-Agriculture About Araku Valley Coffee Cultivated in the hilly regions of Visakhapatnam district (Andhra Pradesh) and parts of Odisha. Grown at an altitude of 900m–1100m above mean sea level. Produced by tribal farmers practicing organic farming, which includes the use of organic manure, green manuring, and eco-friendly pest management …

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KIRTI Program

GS II-Initiatives About the Program KIRTI is a significant component of the Khelo India initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Objective: To foster a strong sports culture among students aged 9 to 18 years, ultimately enhancing India’s potential to secure medals in international competitions. The program …

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PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

GS II-Schemes The Government of India has released operational guidelines for implementing the ‘Incentives to DISCOMs’ component under the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a scheme introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Objectives of the Scheme The initiative seeks to expand solar rooftop capacity and enable …

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Supreme Court Ruling on Bail Conditions

GS2 (Polity & Judiciary) Understanding Bail and Bail Conditions Bail refers to the legal process by which an accused person is released from custody, typically upon payment of a sum of money, ensuring their return for court proceedings. Bail conditions are specific requirements imposed by the court that an accused …

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Section 9 of The Foreigners Act, 1946

GS2 (Polity & Citizenship) The Supreme Court overturned a Foreigners’ Tribunal (FT) decision that had declared Md Rahim Ali, an Assam resident, as a foreigner. The tribunal’s ruling was based on minor inconsistencies in the spelling and dates on his documents. Significance of the Judgment This ruling provides relief to …

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Enemy Property Act, 1968

GS2 (Governance & Laws) Overview of the Enemy Property Act, 1968 Enactment: The Act was introduced following the Indo-China conflict of 1962 and the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. Definition of Enemy Property: It refers to any assets owned, held, or managed on behalf of an individual, entity, or …

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Santhal Hul (Rebellion)

GS1 (Medieval Indian History) Causes of the Uprising Colonial Revenue System: Following the Battle of Plassey (1757), the East India Company (EIC) enforced taxation and administrative policies to strengthen its control over India. Permanent Settlement Act (1793): Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, this system granted landlords …

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Lingayats and Their Socio-Religious Identity

GS I-Culture The Panchamasali Lingayats, a subgroup within Karnataka’s Lingayat community, are advocating for inclusion under the OBC reservation category. Who Are the Lingayats? Lingayats are followers of Basavanna, a 12th-century philosopher and saint. They oppose the caste hierarchy and Vedic traditions, adhering to monotheistic worship centered on Linga (Shiva). …

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AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises

GS III-Agriculture On its 43rd foundation day, NABARD introduced the AgriSURE fund (Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises), aimed at fostering innovation in agriculture and rural enterprises. Key Features of AgriSURE Aims to establish a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with a total corpus of ₹750 crore. Funding Sources: …

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Karsandas Mulji – The Reformist Journalist

GS I-History Karsandas Mulji has recently gained attention due to the release of the biopic Maharaj. Early Life and Education Born in 1832 in Bombay, into a Gujarati Vaishnav family. A prominent member of the Gujarati Gnan-prasarak Mandali (Gujarati Society for the Spread of Knowledge), established by students of Elphinstone …

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Discovery of “Dark Oxygen”

GS I-Geography A research study conducted in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone has identified that the metallic nodules present on the ocean floor generate what is termed as “dark oxygen.” This refers to oxygen production occurring in the deep-sea abyssal region, where photosynthesis is not possible. The process takes place as polymetallic …

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Mounjaro – Advanced Weight Loss & Diabetes Drug

GS II-Health Context US pharma company Eli Lilly is set to introduce Mounjaro in India. It is one of the most advanced weight loss drugs, primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes and now also approved for weight loss. Key Ingredient & Mechanism Active Ingredient: Tirzepatide (a prescription-only injectable drug). …

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i-DRONE Initiative

GS III-Defence Context The i-DRONE initiative recently facilitated the successful drone-based transport of corneal tissue over a 20 km distance within 15–20 minutes, showcasing its potential in medical logistics. Overview of i-DRONE Full Form: ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach in North East Developed By: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) …

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In-House Judicial Inquiry Mechanism

GS II-Judiciary Context The Chief Justice of India (CJI) recently initiated a three-member in-house inquiry into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, leading to his transfer to the Allahabad High Court. This has reignited discussions on judicial transparency. Judicial Transfers in India Constitutional Basis: Article 222 of the Indian Constitution grants …

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Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme

GS II-Schemes Context The PM Internship Scheme app was introduced to streamline the application process after the pilot phase saw limited participation. Overview of the Scheme Objective: The scheme aims to facilitate internships for 1 crore youth over five years in India’s top 500 companies, bridging the gap between academic …

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Poompuhar and the Cholas

GS I-History Historical Significance Poompuhar, historically recognized as Kaveripattinam, functioned as a crucial maritime center during the Chola period. Situated in present-day Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, at the confluence of the Kaveri River, it played a vital role in trade and commerce. Cultural and Commercial Hub Sangam-era Tamil literature and the …

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PM SVANidhi Scheme for Urban Street Vendors

GS II-SCHEMES Introduction The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) is a micro-credit initiative introduced by the Government of India to support urban street vendors. A recent State Bank of India (SBI) study highlighted the scheme’s success, noting that 43% of beneficiaries are women street vendors. Overview of the …

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